Director - Global Procurement Hotels & Travel

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Description

We believe that inclusion helps us thrive and grow at United across our collaborative Finance teams consisting of Financial Planning & Analysis, Internal Audit, Treasury, Global Procurement, Controllership, Investor Relations and more. These teams provide the financial fuel that keeps our operation running from providing detailed analyses of financial planning, performance, and forecasts to managing our investments and financial strategies. Our Finance team plays an integral role in making our airline profitable and successful by meeting our financial goals.

Job Overview And Responsibilities

The Director, Global Procurement – Hotels & Travel, is responsible for leading United’s sourcing and supplier management strategy for hotel accommodations and travel-related services supporting pilots, flight attendants, customers during irregular operations, and major large-scale events across the global network.

The role leads a high-performing team, oversees strategic and transactional sourcing activities, and ensures effective implementation and governance of all Hotels & Travel contracts. It develops long-term category strategies that balance cost, safety, location suitability, and service quality to ensure operational reliability and exceptional end-user experiences. The Director partners closely with operational teams and pilot/flight attendant unions to ensure all accommodation programs meet contractual, safety, and regulatory requirements. This role also drives continuous improvements in total cost of ownership, supplier performance, and service delivery across United’s global travel programs.

• Lead the development and implementation of United’s Global Hotels & Travel category strategy, continuously improving procurement processes, monitoring market dynamics, and driving total cost of ownership (TCO) reductions
• Develop long-term sourcing strategies that balance cost, location, safety, and service quality to support operational reliability across United’s global network
• Monitor and enhance category performance by leveraging insights, analytics, and recommendations generated by the Center of Excellence, translating them into practical solutions that elevate service levels, supplier performance, and commercial outcomes
• Lead governance, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional alignment, including regular interactions with business unit leaders, operational partners, and labor groups
• Build strong relationships and liaise with pilot and flight attendant unions to ensure hotel and transportation programs meet contractual requirements and operational needs while mitigating cost and risk
• Oversee strategic and transactional sourcing activities, guiding the team through RFx processes and ensuring the application of procurement best practices, including TCO analysis, competitive benchmarking, scenario modeling, and spend analytics
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Hotels & Travel procurement team, including category managers and analysts
• Oversee performance management, talent development, and succession planning
• Maintain deep knowledge of internal and external factors affecting hotel and travel services, such as ADR trends, global lodging conditions, safety and regulatory requirements, geopolitical risks, and crew-rest standards
• Provide data-driven recommendations to leadership and ensure sourcing decisions align with operational, safety, and customer-care expectations
• Lead day-to-day operational execution by ensuring negotiated contracts are effectively implemented and adhered to across the system
• Partner with operational teams to promptly resolve service issues and oversee RFx processes for crew hotels, customer accommodations, and travel-related transportation in alignment with United’s sourcing, compliance, and safety standards
  
  

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree
• Procurement / Supply-Chain Finance or another business-related field
• 8 years of relevant experience with at least 3 years management experience in progressively challenging sourcing roles
• Successful track record in Procurement
• Strong understanding of the category industry, processes and products
• Experience in understanding, managing and communicating large data sets
• Strong team player to leverage existing resources & drive excellence
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational-construction and change-management skills
• Extensive negotiation skills
• Excellent written and executive communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills including leadership experience for geographically separated teams
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
  
  

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree
• Successful experience and track record in procurement
• Knowledge of Pilot and Crew Unions
  
  

The base pay range for this role is $159,790.00 to $207,998.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact JobAccommodations@united.com